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Show Geothermal Pioneers in Newcastle i w ''tV '!': i fTrT? , y5?s,T$P t'fl water as to heat it. The water was so hot in the last pond that the kids would not even swim in it during the summer," said Russell. He said that geologists have been curious about their wells which produce very pure water-only 900 parts of dissolved solvents per million. The water from most geothermal wells is much higher in mineral content. In fact their site is so unusual and the water quality is so good, that the firm from Florida has purchased one of their two wells and 20 acres of land and plan to build their own greenhouses in New Castle this summer. "They looked at over 50 different sites all over the West. This is the best site for heat, light and water-they're going to sell their produce on the Los Angeles and Phoenix markets," said Russell. He explained that not only is the geothermal well in New Castle a plus for such an operation but that the area from Milford to Las Vegas is one of the best in the country for sunlight. Each of the Christensen's 125 ft. by 30 ft. greenhouses holds a thousand plants and each plant is projected to grow at least one pound of tomatoes per week or two fruits- adding up to the two tons of fruit per week for the four houses. The plants are grown in a ! cellullose base which is immersed in water enriched with nutrients. The water runs in a long trough down the row of plants and is covered with plastic. The plants grow up cords hung from the ceiling. The system was developed by the Florida corporation and the growers submit weekly reports on sunlight, temperatures and amount of fertilizers used to the Panama City office. If anything seems to be going wrong, the Christensen's call their Florida advisors and find out what to do about it. The hot water used in heating is pumped into the houses where it passes through a radiator. Blowers pass the hot ajr generated through plastic tubes along the plants. Between the heat from the water and the sunlight, the temperature inside the greenhouse is a warm 88 degrees F. in mid Feb. Two much heat can be a problem- the houses should not get over 90 degrees and PLANTED DEC. 26. These tomato plants started on Dec. .26 should be producing fruit by late March. Each greenhouse holds a thousand plants ana the four greenhouses together are expected expec-ted to produce two tons of fruit a week. W4, it f if 'y I J i'-f"- , "" ' the Christensens expect to paint the houses with lime next month to prevent the plants from getting too hot and too much sun. They also have to be careful not to let the houses get below 55 degrees F. at night which will also damage the plants and fruit. Engineers from the Energy Services Corp. in Idaho have helped the men with some of their plans. "They said that we had enough hot water to heat 80 homes from one well," said Russell. Thier storage-work building where the storage tanks for the water stand is kept a warm 75 degrees F. from the water's heat with no auxiliary heating or circulation system. The water which the project is discharging is still a warm 130 degrees F. and plans to start gasahol production using this source were discussed. "We're just thinking ;. about doing something with the hot water which we're throwing away. You can use any kind of grain or potatoes and the grains are still good for livestock after you've used it," explained Russell. Some of the tomatoes which did come out of the first crop of plants were sold to Lin's, Rocky Mountain Produce in St. George and the Iron County School District. The type of tomato grown is a special breed for greenhouses and produces a firm, non acidic fruit. The brothers said that cooperatives in northern Utah and southern Idaho are also raising tomatoes and cucumbers using Hydroponic's system but that theirs are heated with natural , gas- a much more expensive heat source. Are there other such wells in the area? The Christensens Christen-sens drilled several wells in the area which range form 60 to 90 degrees F. but haven't found any as hot as those near their homestead. Apparently . that first Christensen in the area just happened to drill in exactly the right place. I wvirt i . i in I I J i- i : V :f ' J? , ' ' i - Two tons of tomatoes a week are the expected yield from .' four hothouses owned by Christensen Brothers in New Castle- the first operational geothermal project in the state. The hothouses were built last summer using plans and structures from Hydrophonics, Inc. in Florida. The first crop of plants failed but the second crop was planted on Dec. 26th and should be producing in 90 days-some time in late March. The houses were initially heated with propane but the work to use the 220 degree F. water from their well was completed several weeks ago. "When I was a baby about 55 years ago we had the wells. The water was so hot that my mother had to let it cool to scrub the clothes," said Russell Christensen. Russell with his brother Boyd, two of their sons and a son-in-law complete the partnership which has been a cattle raising operation up until now. "We've been using this water to irrigate 200 acres of .alfalfa. People don't think about it but it takes just as much energy to cool this GEOTHERMAL GREENHOUSES. The Christensen Brothers Farm's built four greenhouses last summer which are heated by the 220 degree F. water from their well. |
